tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37189232293449605582024-03-14T11:15:09.700+08:00Bella, Beach and the BushMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-11899058465424252492015-01-09T20:24:00.000+08:002015-01-09T20:24:19.604+08:00Blogging elsewhere<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for visiting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I now post on my other blog Tempest Thoughts where I review books, have rants about things that are close to my heart, ramble about my writing journey and more generally about stumbling through life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So come on over!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maja </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">xxx</span></div>
Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-35120243623234092412012-05-04T13:35:00.000+08:002012-05-04T13:35:31.699+08:00Growing FoodI've always dreamt of growing my own food. As a child, for 9 months of the year, squashed in a small inner city European apartment, I dreamt of the 3 blissful summer months my brother and I'd spend with our grandparents. They had a small house and a small orchard on the outskirts of a different city 700km away. Whilst most of my friends went to the coast for 2 or 3 weeks then wandered around the quiet and hot city during those summers, my brother and I enjoyed playing in the shade of a huge walnut tree in our grandparents garden, or picking cherries in the orchard, or feeding chickens and ducks, or braiding garlic in the shed with granddad, or helping make jam and preserves with the women or learning to drive a tractor. My granddad was an agriculture lecturer and even then he taught about compost, permaculture and natural pest control. He used to say that "if a bug likes it, it is good for you". Luckily, we loved our fruit and veggies and the nan would often get angry with granddad because we'd fill up on peaches, apricots, cucumbers and tomatoes whilst helping around, so at lunch time we'd hardly touch any food on our plates.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNVoirVWR_I/T6Nks9aXfsI/AAAAAAAAAKA/yFG9ltDU2zA/s1600/P20-04-12_11.05%5B01%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNVoirVWR_I/T6Nks9aXfsI/AAAAAAAAAKA/yFG9ltDU2zA/s400/P20-04-12_11.05%5B01%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">patch of dirt waiting for our veggie garden beds</td></tr>
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So when we bought our house, it was really the backyard that sold it to us. We saw the potential to grow our own food, and whilst it took a bit of time to get to that stage, come spring, we'll be planting our first veggies. On Bella's first birthday we planted citrus trees (lemons, mandarines, oranges), then a mango tree and pomegranate bush and grape vine. This year we had our first 'crop' of mangoes - if two giant fruits can be called a crop! The taste was amazing! The citrus fruit is lovely and tangy, just the way it's meant to taste (Bella's friend recently declared that our mandarines are "the tastiest in the world") and the pomegranates were bursting with flavour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJksXs_gMFQ/T6NmClaR0yI/AAAAAAAAAKI/HO5_39BEJx8/s1600/P22-01-12_17.25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJksXs_gMFQ/T6NmClaR0yI/AAAAAAAAAKI/HO5_39BEJx8/s320/P22-01-12_17.25.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango happy</td></tr>
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I can't wait to start planting the veggies - I've bought packets of organic seeds and am already reading up on permaculture, organic pest control and companion planting. And, of course, no veggie garden is complete without a few chickens, so Bella and her dad are already planning on building a 'cluckingham palace' for them.<br />
Happy Friday xxxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-16710919243823240422012-04-22T17:26:00.000+08:002012-04-22T17:26:24.404+08:00In pursuit of a simpler life<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-354cwFsg4Tw/T4k9yxwgFVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/nesVSu7YWd0/s1600/P06-11-11_11.25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-354cwFsg4Tw/T4k9yxwgFVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/nesVSu7YWd0/s320/P06-11-11_11.25.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by me</td></tr>
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<em>“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. “</em> Albert Einstein</div>
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Frugality, simplicity, minimalism, whatever you call it, there seems to be a groundswell of people out there living it and blogging about it. Many are intentionally trying to find a quieter, simpler space in this feverish world we live in by reducing their consumption, refusing to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ and living their lives more meaningfully.</div>
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Joshua Becket from <a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/">Becoming Minimalist</a> gives a <a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/2011/06/20/what-is-minimalism/">great definition</a> of what minimalism is.</div>
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<br />I started thinking about this some time ago. We recycle, we reuse, we cook at home, we budget, we donate to charities, and yet I still felt overwhelmed, stressed, pressured to conform. I pushed the juggling to the limits. After all, I’m a woman and women are good at juggling, right? In the process, I compromised on the things I truly found enjoyable for the sake of those I thought I had to take on. And the more I took on, the less effective and efficient I became. </div>
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There was ‘career’ to think about, a job that seemed desirable and covetable, with lots of travelling and gadgets to keep me connected. I tried to compensate for my absences with toys and books I brought from my trips, but the guilt levels were raking at me like demon’s claws. I was always exhausted, ridden with allergies, headaches and mood swings. Yet, I ignored the signs; I persisted, stuck in my own thinking that “this too shall pass”. </div>
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And then, just after a really relaxing Christmas, I experienced my first panic attack. I was driving on a freeway at 100 km/hour when my arms and legs started cramping. I got so breathless that I thought I was having a stroke or a heart attack so I ended up being taken to ER by an ambulance! I ended up with a serious anxiety disorder and a massive fear of driving!</div>
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In the last four months I went through a denial phase (“this can’t be possibly happening to me”), a fight phase (“I can beat this”) and now I’m in the acceptance phase (“it is OK to feel this way). I was lucky enough to come across a clinical psychologist who specialises in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and who also runs a yoga school. He’s helped me become once again connected to a greater sense of purpose and a deeper encounter with what’s important in my life. </div>
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The first and the most important thing that needed to happen was to put “ME’ in the centre of the process. I needed to show some compassion and kindness to myself first. I needed to dig deep to find that courage to change direction. So the simplification and de-cluttering process began at work, at home, how I related to people, family and friends. Every aspect of my life is being reviewed – it is time for the toxic things to go and the nourishing ones to come back. </div>
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I still haven’t fully got to that stage that I can say that I live every day of my life in a meaningful way. Far from it. I still tremble at the thought of driving, I’m still in the same job (minus travelling) but I see this now as a journey, not a destination and that I’m making that courageous move in the pursuit of a simpler and happier life.</div>
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<br />Mindfully yours,</div>
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Maja xx</div>
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PS. Some may think “what’s a big deal? It’s only anxiety.” OK, so it is not a terminal illness, but stress and anxiety are insidious conditions that can have profound effect on people’s lives and those around them. If left untreated, they are likely to lead to serious mental health issues such as depression and suicide. So please don’t ignore it. </div>
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For more information visit <a href="http://www.beyondblue.org.au/">http://www.beyondblue.org.au/</a></div>
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<br />Useful links and inspirational blogs about simplifying your life:</div>
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<a href="http://www.bemorewithless.com/">http://www.bemorewithless.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.becomingminimalist.com/">http://www.becomingminimalist.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.momentumgathering.com/">http://www.momentumgathering.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.franticworld.com/">http://www.franticworld.com/</a> (highly recommended if you want to know more about mindfulness)</div>
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<a href="http://www.yourlovelylife.com/">http://www.yourlovelylife.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.theminimalistmum.com/">http://www.theminimalistmum.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/">http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/</a></div>
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</div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-76852223759541926682012-04-14T17:21:00.000+08:002012-04-14T17:21:36.747+08:00$10 beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDeYhIWdUx0/T4k-7Uf_z1I/AAAAAAAAAJw/wHdydbnr3js/s1600/P12-04-12_12.35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDeYhIWdUx0/T4k-7Uf_z1I/AAAAAAAAAJw/wHdydbnr3js/s320/P12-04-12_12.35.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Ain't she a beauty? We picked up this piece of furniture from a local church garage sale for a $10. It had some kiddie stickers on it, coffee and water rings and the legs were split in a few spots. With some metho, steel wool and 3 coats of danish oil, and she is a beauty once again.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We found a sticker on the inside saying it is "Greaves and Thomas" piece, which seems to be an equivalent to Australian Parker furniture. We also found an exact same piece on the internet, c 1965, (it seems that ours has had the legs shortened) in the UK on sale for a mere $1500!!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-46463195713675192882011-11-05T18:58:00.001+08:002011-11-05T19:09:56.824+08:00"Crepecakes" and are these best ever muffinsBella likes crepes but gets frustrated when the contents start to spill out of them. Just like me she doesn't like the taste of self-raising flour ("mum, my teeth tingle") so she is not keen on pancakes. So we came up with "crepecakes" - crepes shaped like pancakes. Voila!<br />
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I make them bland, so they are great with both savoury and sweet condiments.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left">Also, I'm constantly looking for dessert recipes that are not ladden with sugar and fat. I came across these muffins here <a href="http://www.symplytoogood.com.au/recipes">http://www.symplytoogood.com.au/recipes</a>. The author claims that this is the "best ever muffin recipe". I did cringe at the amount of self-raising flour (both plain and wholemeal) but I liked the other ingredients - carrot, apple, raisins, oats, natural yoghurt, apple sauce instead of butter or oil. I replaced raisins with cranberries and added some chopped walnuts as well. The muffins are really tasty, although I think that next time I will add some cinnamon to enhance the flavour. Best ever muffins? Probably not, but they are quick to make, healthy and tasty, and I will be making them again.</div><div align="left"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My trifty store cloches came in handy! Oh, and can you spot Bella :)?</td></tr>
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</div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-59872983813705115622011-10-28T21:09:00.000+08:002011-10-28T21:09:05.194+08:00INSPIREDFinally, I am sufficiently inspired to write something. I wondered if people would be interested in reading about my weight loss challenges, as those of you who still seem to be following me (a few have dropped off - don't blame them) didn't sing up for those sort of posts.<br />
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So just briefly, the 'renovation of me' continues and I am happy to say that I have shed nearly 15kg so far. The journey hasn't been without roadblocks and barriers, but no journey is straightforward. During that time, the house renovations and projects have been put aside. But now that the spring has finally sprung I feel very inspired to tackle some new projects. <br />
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But first is first - I needed to clear and declutter. It was the garden first today (it was such a glorious day for it), then my study aka junk room and finally my wardrobe. The charities will be pleased with a load of clothes and knick-knacks I gathered today - phew, the amount of stuff we collect!<br />
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Here are a few photos of our garden today. <br />
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Cheers,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMKlVLZQaeQ/TqqmdgFzt4I/AAAAAAAAAIY/H7vS_GccbTM/s1600/P23-10-11_17.20%255B03%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hMKlVLZQaeQ/TqqmdgFzt4I/AAAAAAAAAIY/H7vS_GccbTM/s320/P23-10-11_17.20%255B03%255D.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomegranate in bloom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful pomegranate flower also known as Persephone's fruit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a tiny pup 2 years ago!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a pretty side of our garden</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pN7p49Vo5t8/TqqnxmwFeCI/AAAAAAAAAJA/XztQ7lkxbyM/s1600/P28-10-11_10.45%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pN7p49Vo5t8/TqqnxmwFeCI/AAAAAAAAAJA/XztQ7lkxbyM/s320/P28-10-11_10.45%255B01%255D.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we 'borrow' large gums from our neighbours and the park we back onto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>MajaMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-87955382252718776942011-06-22T21:25:00.000+08:002011-06-22T21:25:09.782+08:00Different kind of reno - the renovation of meHi all<br />
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I've been absent from the blogging world for a while, and for a very good reason. For years I've been complaining about my weight and general well being and, unfortunately, like so many others, I expected a silver bullet or a magic potion to help me get rid of that problem.<br />
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So after some serious soul searching I decided to try Michelle Bridges's 12 Week Body Transformation program <a href="http://www.12wbt.com/">http://www.12wbt.com/</a>. You know her - the seriously tough trainer from the Biggest Loser.<br />
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It is nearly week 6 of the program and I am over the moon. It is the best present I could have given myself. I've lost 5 kg which is half way to my goal weight for this round. You may wonder why I hadn't spoken about this sooner. The truth is I had doubts about the program and about my own willingness to stick to it.<br />
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I have to admit that in the past I was a bit snobbish when people told me they were on a diet or joined the Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. Yes, some truly lost weight, but many put it back on as soon as they were off the program. Despite hearing great things about the 12wbt, I still believed it was a fad. I was still sceptical even after I joined and the doubts didn't leave me until week 2 of the program.<br />
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But on the cusp of week 6, I humbly and happily admit that I was wrong. Big time. Beside eating cleanly and exercising like a mad woman (I power-walked 7km on Sunday - I am still in awe of myself for doing that), I have gained confidence, become better organised (there's lots of cooking, scheduling exercise, work, family, renovation,etc) and have adopted a new perspective - life is no longer a glass half empty, it is a glass half full.<br />
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My biggest challenge was to resist "the call of the sweet fang". I didn't have a sweet tooth, seriously it was a fang! The first two weeks were hell - I had withdrawal symptoms - and endless morning teas and "muffin meetings" at work were a huge challenge. But, I'm happy to say that the monster is safely caged now. No, not caged - that implies that it might escape. The monster is gone - it has been defeated!<br />
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None of this would have been easy without Michelle's guidance and a well designed program. But what is truly unique is the way the participants have organised themselves. My biggest inspiration and motivation to keep at it is the brilliant 12wbt Perth Crew, a bunch of women (and one and half guys) who cheer and support each other, exercise together, party together, kick butts when kicking is required. There are some truly inspirational people in the group who also blog about their experiences - these are from two awesome ladies from the Perth crew <a href="http://byclops77.blogspot.com/">http://byclops77.blogspot.com/</a> and <a href="http://nolongeranemotionaleater.blogspot.com/">http://nolongeranemotionaleater.blogspot.com/</a>.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry for such a long post, but I simply wanted to share this with the world. OK, all 11 of my wonderful followers, and I already hear you cheering me on. I'll keep you updated on my progress.<br />
<br />
Maja xxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-88989209184097146362011-05-17T22:20:00.000+08:002011-05-17T22:20:38.875+08:00A post that's long overdueHi all<br />
Long, long time ago I promised to post pictures of our living room reno but somehow the pics don't truly convey how lovely the room is now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUudAYxmQfI/TdJ490mndaI/AAAAAAAAAHo/2eh0kBRjmZ4/s1600/P28-09-10_11.31%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pUudAYxmQfI/TdJ490mndaI/AAAAAAAAAHo/2eh0kBRjmZ4/s200/P28-09-10_11.31%255B01%255D.JPG" width="150px" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lfpYx5h9U0/TdJ5Tp1W3mI/AAAAAAAAAHw/seaIj1Pi_3I/s1600/P28-09-10_11.33%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lfpYx5h9U0/TdJ5Tp1W3mI/AAAAAAAAAHw/seaIj1Pi_3I/s200/P28-09-10_11.33%255B01%255D.JPG" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jji6l9-Idqw/TdJ9d9wEGJI/AAAAAAAAAII/fSNYZOd-6SM/s1600/P28-09-10_11.31%255B02%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jji6l9-Idqw/TdJ9d9wEGJI/AAAAAAAAAII/fSNYZOd-6SM/s200/P28-09-10_11.31%255B02%255D.JPG" width="200px" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWZejyiXL-Y/TdJ5ID1QhPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/zp6ciEkySmw/s1600/P28-09-10_11.32%255B03%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWZejyiXL-Y/TdJ5ID1QhPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/zp6ciEkySmw/s200/P28-09-10_11.32%255B03%255D.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div>Goodbye to the flaking paint, gray ceiling, ugly fan and fake ceiling speakers. <br />
<br />
<br />
Hello to the lovely white walls, billowy curtains and a fireplace. And we only spent less than $1000, electrician being the most expensive. We replaced the old ceiling fan with the new Fanaway and I can't speak highly enough about this brilliant product. It is quiet and when not in use, the transparent blades fold away so it is only a light fitting. Brilliant!<br />
<br />
The gas fireplace is now fully enclosed. We bought some new furniture and the bookcase we found fitted perfectly in the new space that we constantly get asked if we had it made to order. Unfortunately, my camera makes the furniture look yellowish. It is actually French oak with a grayish finish. <br />
<br />
So, now I'm on the look out for some nice artwork, a coffee table, a couple of armchairs, a mirror for over the fireplace, cushions, etc.<br />
<br />
Our Bella reckons that this is now the most beautiful room in the house and that her dad is the cleverest dad in the world. That's one of the reasons she wants to be in every shot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGmtXLbhH1M/TdJ8Br8Ko0I/AAAAAAAAAH0/lc1o1s_8AGk/s1600/P12-02-11_15.02%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGmtXLbhH1M/TdJ8Br8Ko0I/AAAAAAAAAH0/lc1o1s_8AGk/s200/P12-02-11_15.02%255B01%255D.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-nNSVCWb5A/TdJ8M-Th7BI/AAAAAAAAAH4/utLEijk0l8s/s1600/P12-02-11_14.59%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-nNSVCWb5A/TdJ8M-Th7BI/AAAAAAAAAH4/utLEijk0l8s/s200/P12-02-11_14.59%255B01%255D.JPG" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying some artwork</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHueDO7x8Gk/TdJ8c5GBE7I/AAAAAAAAAH8/PlC5jd9m0Y4/s1600/P12-02-11_15.02%255B02%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHueDO7x8Gk/TdJ8c5GBE7I/AAAAAAAAAH8/PlC5jd9m0Y4/s320/P12-02-11_15.02%255B02%255D.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here she goes again</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-431SsqXfnQc/TdJ9IYFzESI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gSahjtd5TiQ/s1600/P19-12-10_16.48%255B02%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-431SsqXfnQc/TdJ9IYFzESI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gSahjtd5TiQ/s200/P19-12-10_16.48%255B02%255D.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="200px" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAHoXgTD5zI/TdJ8xnDjB4I/AAAAAAAAAIA/mwx64IwJLD0/s1600/P09-01-11_15.05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAHoXgTD5zI/TdJ8xnDjB4I/AAAAAAAAAIA/mwx64IwJLD0/s200/P09-01-11_15.05.JPG" width="200px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsKvkBToAHI/TdJ-GLNvk2I/AAAAAAAAAIM/-FzqDVNisWQ/s1600/P10-04-11_12.11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TsKvkBToAHI/TdJ-GLNvk2I/AAAAAAAAAIM/-FzqDVNisWQ/s200/P10-04-11_12.11.JPG" width="150px" /></a></div><br />
<img height="72px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-431SsqXfnQc/TdJ9IYFzESI/AAAAAAAAAIE/gSahjtd5TiQ/s200/P19-12-10_16.48%255B02%255D.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 97px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1047px; visibility: hidden;" width="96px" /><br />
What do you think? <br />
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Maja xxxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-58866527417709967962011-04-25T22:19:00.000+08:002011-04-25T22:19:24.864+08:00Anzac - our real Australia day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObyWTCjLGaU/TbWAI6wMRQI/AAAAAAAAAHk/4rOgbYKno0c/s1600/IMAGE_068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ObyWTCjLGaU/TbWAI6wMRQI/AAAAAAAAAHk/4rOgbYKno0c/s200/IMAGE_068.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div>I have only been in this country for 15 years, yet Anzac day always reduces me to tears. It is an amazing day when the whole nation stops to remember all those who sacrificed their lives to protect this wonderful country, and also to celebrate those who returned and who struggled to resume their lives. <br />
<br />
It is wonderful to see all those people going to the dawn services or making pilgrimage to Gallipoli, France, Korea, Vietnam. What is more amazing, the numbers seem to be increasing.<br />
<br />
I recently 'rescued' a book by Alan Moorehead called "Gallipoli". The book was published in 1956 and what struck me was this description of Gallipoli:<br />
<br />
<em>"For nearly fourty years the cemeteries have been tended with great devotion by a Major Millington, an old Australian soldier. He has a curious existence, for at Chanak on the Narrows, where he has his house, he is in a Turkish military area and may not move more than a thousand paces in any direction without escort. However, the young Turkish conscripts accompany him willingly enough as he goes over the penninsula month by month and year by year to supervise his staff of local stonemasons and gardeners. ...[], the Turkish gardeners work well; no wall around the French and British cemeteries is allowed to crumble, no weed is anywhere allowed to grow, and now in the nineteen-fifties the gardens are more beautiful than ever. Yet hardly anyone ever visits them. Except for occasional organized tours not more than half a dozen visitors arrive from year's end to the other. Often for months at a time nothing of any consequence happens, lizards scuttle about the tombstones in the sunshine and time goes by in an endless dream." </em><br />
<br />
What a contrast to what we've seen today. As the author of <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/25/3199854.htm">this article</a> says, today certainly felt like our real Australia day.<br />
<br />
Lest we forget.Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-63521055163878340012011-03-20T16:03:00.000+08:002011-03-20T16:03:40.028+08:00Today I'm Grateful...I am not a religious person, but this morning I sent a little thanks into the ether for all the good things in my life. You see, on this day, 15 years ago, my husband and I arrived in Perth with three bags, a cutlery set (a wedding gift from my mum) and $500. We didn't care that we had nothing; we were lucky to escape the conflict in former Yugoslavia alive. Our new life in Australia hasn't been without setbacks, but my husband calls these 'happy problems'. Like today, we still marvel at our good luck for being given such a gift - to live in this wonderful country, amongst such wonderful and generous people. We have everything we'd ever dreamt of and more - a lovely home, great friends, a beautiful daughter and moreover, a chance to live our lives to the fullest. <br />
<br />
All the best<br />
<br />
Maja xxxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-19367283895527224032011-01-28T18:57:00.000+08:002011-01-28T18:57:09.884+08:00When it rains it poursJust when I thought that we've seen the end tail of natural disasters across the country for this summer, Queensland is bracing for a cyclone 'Anthony' and WA for a cyclone 'Bianca'.<br />
<br />
Cyclones are fickle and have a tendency to change course, but strong winds and more rain are likely to cause damage, so our generosity and help to the affected residents, particularly in Queensland, are still very much needed.<br />
<br />
I hope that the Prime Minister's levy won't stop the flow of personal donations because these go directly to the people such as <a href="http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/2011/01/james-update.html">James</a> and many others.<br />
<br />
So if you'd still like to help and like to read, particularly if you like Australian speculative fiction, then you could perhaps do <a href="http://tempestthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/01/after-rain-queensland-flood-relief.html">this</a>.<br />
<br />
Maja xxxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-2769238166674422102011-01-26T19:58:00.001+08:002011-01-26T20:00:23.465+08:00Happy Australia Day!I hope you've had a lovely day today. We celebrated at home, with barbecue, of course, and lamb and prawns were on the menu. <br />
<br />
This day means different thing to different people, but we always say a little prayer of thanks for being given a chance to live in such a beautiful country and amongst such wonderful people.<br />
<br />
How is this beautiful sunset over the Hillarys boat harbour? Just takes my breath away.<br />
<br />
Maja xxx<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TUALaedn7aI/AAAAAAAAAHU/c6efPCaULxo/s1600/P18-11-10_18.59%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TUALaedn7aI/AAAAAAAAAHU/c6efPCaULxo/s320/P18-11-10_18.59%255B01%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-80905729227224803362011-01-23T23:48:00.000+08:002011-01-23T23:48:41.986+08:00The year ahead<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you remember, in my <a href="http://bellabeachbush.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-start.html">previous post</a> I mentioned that on 1 January I wrote an uplifting post that was all about great things that I would do in 2011. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So I looked back at that goal-achieving post and this is what I had written then:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"This time of the year a famous quote by F.M. Knowles comes to mind. <em>"He who breaks a resolution is a weakling. He who makes one is a fool." </em>We've all been here, making promises to ourselves that definitely this year we will lose weight, or start going to the gym, stop smoking, cutting up the credit card, etc. And it never happens. So for a few years I made no plans, I let the things unravel on their own accord, but that doesn't seem to work for me either, as I feel I've been left with far too many loose ends and unfinished projects.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So 2011 is going to be the year of goals, commitment and discipline. I got this idea from <a href="http://blog.writingspirit.com/2010/11/write-daily-part-1.html">Julie Isaac</a> (she is a creativity coach) who says that</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>"Without commitment discipline is impossible,<br />
With commitment, discipline is inevitable."</em></div></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So this year I commit to doing this:<em> </em></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em> Home Renovations</em></div></div></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Finish all projects from the 'unfinished projects' list before starting a new one.</em> Here are a few projects that are on this list: a pantry door (pantry is door-less since 2009), water fountain (a beautiful vessel waiting since last year), veggie garden (bare patch of land just hurts my eyes), install a clothes line (old and rusty Hills Hoist was removed in 2005!)</div></div></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Renovate the laundry.</em> Only after the 'unfinished projects' list gets ticked off. </div></div></div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Writing</em></div></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Write every day for half an hour. </em>Just like exercise, no excuses. It will be in the evenings after Bella's in bed and hubby is happily nestled in front of the TV. I think this is achievable and may suppress this crazy urge linked to goal number 2.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Gather all loose bits of my novel.</em> I write a lot but I write everywhere (whilst commuting to work, shopping, etc) and on anything (backs of old envelopes, my work computer, my laptop, post-it-notes, notebooks). I get an idea and have to write it down right there and then, but later have no idea what had happened to that. So this year I will gather all that and transcribe it all into my laptop. </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Join a writing group</em></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Start a new blog about books and writing</em>. (Stop press: new blog is up an running, see <a href="http://tempestthoughts.blogspot.com/">here</a>).</div></div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Home life (family. me)</em></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><ol><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Organise a family holiday.</em> This doesn't come easy to us. We tend to sacrifice our holidays for home projects. In 2009 we decided to install photovoltaic panels (aka solar panels), in 2010 I had to dash back to see my family (yes they are in Europe, but that certainly wasn't a holiday). So as we speak I'm making plans for a holiday in Sydney and Gold Coast in September. This will be our first family holiday since Bella was born 5 years ago!</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Complete my post-grad studies.</em> I only have <span style="font-size: large;">one</span> unit to go, and I've been postponing it, rescheduling, changing it around. Again, I sense the end and lose the interest. But I am committed to put this baby to rest in 2011.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Get Bella through her first year of full time school</em>. This is mostly about getting her earlier to bed. She's stopped having daytime naps and that has helped.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Organise the study.</em> This room has been a dumping ground during our renovations, but very slowly this room is once again starting to resemble a study that it once was. A few days ago I culled a lot of paperwork (old bills, bank statements, even my payslips from 1998!) and the room (and I)already feels better organised. </li>
</ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There. I apologise for the long post. I will leave you with a sneak peak of our living room reno. I will do a separate post once it is all done. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Maja xxx</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TTxISsxP-PI/AAAAAAAAAHA/v_y_fVfLYx0/s1600/P28-09-10_11.33%255B03%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TTxISsxP-PI/AAAAAAAAAHA/v_y_fVfLYx0/s320/P28-09-10_11.33%255B03%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">before</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TTxNGdxMynI/AAAAAAAAAHI/TnRPFo2b1H8/s1600/P19-12-10_16.48%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TTxNGdxMynI/AAAAAAAAAHI/TnRPFo2b1H8/s1600/P19-12-10_16.48%255B01%255D.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">during (hubby did it all himself)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-28467481407044352162011-01-14T12:11:00.000+08:002011-01-14T12:11:47.946+08:00What a start....<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">On 1 January I drafted a rather uplifting post about all the things I want to achieve this year, only to be saddened by the passing of my beloved grandmother who I grew up with. Unfortunately, she is in Europe and it was impossible for me to get there for her funeral, so I've been grieving here by myself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Also, seeing the unravelling of this huge disaster in Queensland, and reading that some of the bloggers I follow have been personally affected, has been heart wrenching. Here in WA, we've also had floods and bushfires. My heart goes out to all people who have been affected by one of these horrible events.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As for me, I get out of saddness and despair by keeping busy and focusing on all wonderful and beautiful sides of life. So, the first thing to do is to finish that uplifting post :).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Keep well</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maja xxx</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TS_K4D74WTI/AAAAAAAAAGE/9F4jx9jgU0k/s1600/imagesCA5I6D3X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TS_K4D74WTI/AAAAAAAAAGE/9F4jx9jgU0k/s320/imagesCA5I6D3X.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image source unknown (sorry)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-11945462772915249352010-12-10T23:58:00.001+08:002010-12-11T00:01:21.847+08:00Renovations updateHow time flies! I mentioned quite a few weeks ago that we were about to tackle the living room renovations, and we are only a couple of weeks from Christmas so it is race against the time to have it finished.<br />
<br />
Here are some before pictures:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJA8iCjcCI/AAAAAAAAAFE/hSkOrcnXRgE/s1600/P28-09-10_11.31%255B02%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJA8iCjcCI/AAAAAAAAAFE/hSkOrcnXRgE/s320/P28-09-10_11.31%255B02%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJFzqbxLBI/AAAAAAAAAFM/1t6MVVEtcWc/s1600/P28-09-10_11.31%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJFzqbxLBI/AAAAAAAAAFM/1t6MVVEtcWc/s320/P28-09-10_11.31%255B01%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="left">It is a nice, large room with the high ceiling, but it had a lot of problems. There was a raising damp on one of the walls (see the corner there), outdated fittings and lots of holes above the windows. I sometimes think that the previous owner perhaps used a machine gun to make holes for the curtain rods :). </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">So far, the windows are white, holes are filled in, the old ceiling fan is gone and the fireplace looks awesome. The floor tiles have to remain for a while even though I hate them with passion.</div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJG5tvydCI/AAAAAAAAAFY/V_XYTYgZa9w/s1600/P23-10-10_10.04%255B01%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJG5tvydCI/AAAAAAAAAFY/V_XYTYgZa9w/s320/P23-10-10_10.04%255B01%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella lends a hand!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJGi8VyH-I/AAAAAAAAAFU/6FtLYG_qiDk/s1600/P04-12-10_17.17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJGi8VyH-I/AAAAAAAAAFU/6FtLYG_qiDk/s320/P04-12-10_17.17.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div align="left">I think this space was rather hip in the '70s when the house was built. It had ceiling mounted speakers, a bar in the corner, a funky shaggy carpet and the saloon doors and all in the super hip orange, yellow and mission brown. Groovy baby! </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">We've decided on a more up to date look with the enclosed gas fireplace, nice billowy curtains, and the walls in Dulux Antique White USA. I'm also thinking wheat, chocolate and charcoal with hints of red and aqua. Here are some inspirational images (sorry, I don't know the source for some of them).</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJRfdPH1I/AAAAAAAAAFg/wCX8IF3X4RE/s1600/CLX0807Hagan021-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJRfdPH1I/AAAAAAAAAFg/wCX8IF3X4RE/s320/CLX0807Hagan021-de.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unknown source</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJZXkuzhI/AAAAAAAAAFk/wWJ9zfty0UE/s1600/img15l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJZXkuzhI/AAAAAAAAAFk/wWJ9zfty0UE/s320/img15l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Barn ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJe5lJ5NI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ZA6_TabEDMs/s1600/img78m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJe5lJ5NI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ZA6_TabEDMs/s320/img78m.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pottery Barn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJtkLLoXI/AAAAAAAAAFs/_-hkgG2Mxeg/s1600/living-room-after-6-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJtkLLoXI/AAAAAAAAAFs/_-hkgG2Mxeg/s320/living-room-after-6-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unknown</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJzQr9cLI/AAAAAAAAAFw/udWaR69cva8/s1600/rosemary_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJJzQr9cLI/AAAAAAAAAFw/udWaR69cva8/s320/rosemary_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">unknown</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJKGOiqmoI/AAAAAAAAAF0/JXyGmBNP5LA/s1600/vwolfe5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TQJKGOiqmoI/AAAAAAAAAF0/JXyGmBNP5LA/s320/vwolfe5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicente Wolf</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div align="left">Keep well</div><div align="left">Maja </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-59973542442639932032010-10-16T20:38:00.001+08:002010-10-16T20:41:45.698+08:00Out of blogging hibernation<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I can’t believe that it’s been this long since my last post. I guess it had to happen – I was simply doing too much and I thought that what was happening at the time wouldn’t be of huge interest to anyone. In short, here is what happened since:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">August – my job changed which meant a bit more interstate travel. There were two trips to Adelaide and I’ll be travelling to Darwin in early November. August was also spent thinking about Bella’s 5th birthday party, what to do, where to do it, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">September – Bella’s birthday party was a lot of fun, with fairies and pirates running a muck. A big party hit were the edible fairly wands - grissini sticks, white chocolate and coloured sugar and 100s & 1000s (below are the pics of Bella & I making them). Just about every weekend in September was spent taking Bella to birthday parties! I can't believe how many of her friends were born in September. We were also making plans for the renovation of our “grotto” aka the living room, possibly the ugliest room in the house. I’ll do a separate post about that one. Whenever there wasn’t a birthday party to go to, I spent time in the garden as the weeds were slowly turning into a forest! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TLma2fI4g9I/AAAAAAAAAE8/mhtAmvMrB8M/s1600/P03-09-10_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TLma2fI4g9I/AAAAAAAAAE8/mhtAmvMrB8M/s320/P03-09-10_1827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TLma-xaK7LI/AAAAAAAAAFA/kF9-lmTq9M8/s1600/100_3114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TLma-xaK7LI/AAAAAAAAAFA/kF9-lmTq9M8/s320/100_3114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">October – we finally attacked the grotto. We are back living like nomads in our own house, the kitchen/dining area now housing our sofa, TV, large bookcase, and the study once again becoming a dumping ground for everything else. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So there, just in an unlikely case that anyone wondered what’d happened.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Keep well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Maja xx</span>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-63802372385339116002010-07-24T21:25:00.002+08:002010-07-24T21:30:36.954+08:00Organising workshop @ Kikki.KHi all<br />
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend so far.<br />
As I love stationery, I was very excited to see that <a href="http://www.kikki-k.com/">Kikki.K</a> store in the City (Enex 100 building) will be running a workshop called "Paper Flow".<br />
Then my excitement subsided when I realised that it is on the day I will be in Adelaide (all work, no pleasure). <br />
<br />
Anyway, if you are interested here are the details:<br />
<br />
Date: 3 August 2010<br />
Time: 6 pm<br />
Store: Enex 100<br />
Topic: Paper Flow<br />
Cost: $40 (you get 10% discount off purchases at the workshop and for 1 week following)<br />
<br />
A lovely girl there told me that they'll run more of these in the future - yay!<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful Sunday<br />
Maja xxx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TErotebX8tI/AAAAAAAAAEs/zCpKC24UqhI/s1600/LINJER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TErotebX8tI/AAAAAAAAAEs/zCpKC24UqhI/s320/LINJER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-30847841450371501112010-07-17T16:54:00.001+08:002010-07-17T16:55:52.990+08:00Blog Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TEFpD3rPPoI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DzhQLGycIhM/s1600/versatile-bloggeraward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TEFpD3rPPoI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DzhQLGycIhM/s200/versatile-bloggeraward.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TEFo8lHkJRI/AAAAAAAAAEc/7u10JyGvcOg/s1600/sunshine+award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" hw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TEFo8lHkJRI/AAAAAAAAAEc/7u10JyGvcOg/s200/sunshine+award.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was recently rewarded two blog awards: The Versatile Blogger from lovely Amanda from <a href="http://homely-one.blogspot.com/">Homely One</a> and the Sunshine Award from equally lovely Christine from <a href="http://sunshinelollypops-christine.blogspot.com/">Sunshine & Lollypops</a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Belated thanks to both ladies and all the other lovely followers (already 8 of them, yay!). So here are the 7 things you didn't know about me:</div><ol style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I was born in a country that no longer exists. I am talking about former Yugoslavia that fell apart in 1991. We came to Australia in 1996 and haven't looked back!</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have an unnatural love of books :). Seriously, I can't NOT have a book in my handbag or on my night stand and I usually read at least 2 books per week. My favourite writer is Jane Austen.</li>
<li>I am an aspiring writer. I am about to submit a short story so keep your fingers crossed. </li>
<li>I love the Australian bush. There is something otherworldly about the scorched red earth, gnarly trees and the big blue sky above. </li>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am drawn to water (perhaps it's something to do with being an Aquarian) and I love living so close to the beach which I visit often, particularly when I need to 'recharge my batteries'.</li>
<li>I love food both cooking and consuming it. At the moment, I am better at the latter, particularly anything containing chocolate :).</li>
<li>Last but never least - I couldn't be what I am today and be doing all the things I do without my extremely understanding husband and my lovely daughter. Yes, there is an occasional eye roll and a 'here we go again' mumble, but considering the numerous changes I make to things and plans, that is <span style="background-color: white;">pretty good.</span></li>
</ol><span style="background-color: white;">Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Maja xx</span>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-54730554888416220082010-07-11T18:11:00.000+08:002010-07-11T18:11:35.458+08:00M.I.A.I'd like to tell you that I've been Missing In Action because I was on some tropical island, drinking pina collada by a pool, but the truth is a little bit more mundane. There was work, which was hectic, as it always is this time of year. Then there was a uni exam (I'm doing some postgrad studies). Then, to top it all off, there was this massive cold and in my case everything settles in my sinuses so my head feels like it weighs a ton! And let's not forget unseasonally cold weather in Perth and the last few days unseasonally wild storms too! <br />
<br />
So whilst I was not inspired to look at yet another computer after spending hours staring at the one at work, I did get my reading mojo back and I devoured 3 books in a week: Cecelia Ahern's <em>The Book of Tomorrow, </em>Juliet Marillier's <em>The Dark Mirror </em>and Elizabeth Kostova's <em>The Historian</em>. Of the three my favourite is <em>The Dark Mirror</em>. Juliet's writing is mesmerising, and she is one of my favourite Australian fantasy writers. If you haven't guessed so far, I am a huge fan of speculative/fantasy fiction. My writing mojo is also back and I have a couple of blog posts almost ready to go, so watch this space.<br />
<br />
I hope you all had a wonderfull weekend. <br />
To those in Perth, brace yourselves for another night of crazy weather.<br />
<br />
MajaxxxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-77069265418941847582010-06-19T22:45:00.000+08:002010-06-19T22:45:39.763+08:00Lissanne from SORTED! in Perth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="http://lissanne.wordpress.com/2010/06/19/get-organised-and-declutter-in-perth/">Lissanne Oliver</a> from SORTED! will be running a workshop in Perth (Mandurah actually) on 3 July. This is very exciting, as I regularly refer to great tips in Lissanne's book (also called <a href="http://www.sorted.net.au/sorted/SORTED_store.html">SORTED</a>!) to get me back on track particularly during renovations when things are all over the place. <br />
It will be a good opportunity to spend a day in Mandurah as I haven't been in ages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBzXpZbOQHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Kdr_M1rwWTQ/s1600/SORTED_book_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBzXpZbOQHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/Kdr_M1rwWTQ/s320/SORTED_book_300.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Maja xxxMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-26224604799723477552010-06-18T23:48:00.001+08:002010-06-18T23:51:19.468+08:00Great findsI had a lovely day today looking at the treasures over at the Greenwood Salvos store. I found a lot of great things (bags, clothes, shoes, art, bric-a-brac) but as I only allocated $20 for this trip I had to compromise. So here is what I managed to get for the twenty: a pretty tray for only $3.99, a little acrylic of Esperance WA that was living in an ugly frame - $4.99, a pretty oil on canvas with pink roses also living in an ugly frame $3.99, a pretty wooden frame $3.99, a wooden mug holder $4 and a pretty ceramic figurine for $2. Isn't she gorgeous? OK, so I went a little over budget, but it was worth it. Oh, and the latest issue of <a href="http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/home-beautiful/">Home Beautiful</a> from my local newsagent :).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBuTk9L5NAI/AAAAAAAAAD0/QqyPn7Gi_VM/s1600/100_3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBuTk9L5NAI/AAAAAAAAAD0/QqyPn7Gi_VM/s400/100_3085.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBuTwyGYBrI/AAAAAAAAAD8/M9EnAVag9fE/s1600/100_3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBuTwyGYBrI/AAAAAAAAAD8/M9EnAVag9fE/s400/100_3086.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBuT_L7SEwI/AAAAAAAAAEE/GwVhLT-hGq0/s1600/100_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBuT_L7SEwI/AAAAAAAAAEE/GwVhLT-hGq0/s400/100_3084.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Have a lovely weekend<br />
xoxo MajaMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-34992839737370633692010-06-14T17:48:00.000+08:002010-06-14T17:48:03.403+08:00Kitchen reno<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the main projects we've so far undertaken was kitchen renovation. This was something I was desperate to do as the original kitchen was nasty. It was smelly and greasy and had serious lack of adequate storage space. Not that I really stored anything in the cupboards anyway, things lived in boxes for quite a while. The first thing that went was an old exhaust fan and it was discusting (oh-my-God)!. It's a shame I didn't take a picture of it because it looked like something from an episode of CSI! </div>Before....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0fitEO-I/AAAAAAAAADs/xGhpUSuodC4/s1600/kucica+kuhinja.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0fitEO-I/AAAAAAAAADs/xGhpUSuodC4/s320/kucica+kuhinja.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzIDH9ckI/AAAAAAAAACs/HCd02H_UOqY/s1600/100_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzIDH9ckI/AAAAAAAAACs/HCd02H_UOqY/s320/100_3077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We got a few quotes but they were all above our total budget of $10,000 (and this was meant to include new appliances) so we decided to tackle the job ourselves using the flatpack kitchen from our local hardware store. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The old kitchen decided it wasn't going to go away without a fight. The old wall tiles were stuck to the wall with cement or concrete or whatever it was, it was pulling big chunks of plaster off the wall so we had to do a lot of repair and that slowed the process somewhat. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">During (even Bella decided to land a hand)...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzxKKYk5I/AAAAAAAAADE/fdHgxud4Ly8/s1600/100_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzxKKYk5I/AAAAAAAAADE/fdHgxud4Ly8/s200/100_1634.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXz4RR-KCI/AAAAAAAAADM/nbSVA7l6whc/s1600/100_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXz4RR-KCI/AAAAAAAAADM/nbSVA7l6whc/s200/100_1710.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0AcZHr0I/AAAAAAAAADU/Yr41I4NSgDY/s1600/100_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0AcZHr0I/AAAAAAAAADU/Yr41I4NSgDY/s200/100_1722.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0Q3quMxI/AAAAAAAAADk/yp_xxTgS8rM/s1600/kuhinja08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0Q3quMxI/AAAAAAAAADk/yp_xxTgS8rM/s200/kuhinja08.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0HsCwoZI/AAAAAAAAADc/CEEeMOvze7c/s1600/100_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBX0HsCwoZI/AAAAAAAAADc/CEEeMOvze7c/s200/100_1729.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we were doing most of the work ourselves (apart from plumbing and electrical), we could afford better quality kitchen tops and we opted for granite. I wanted a glass splashback, but again the cost was prohibitive and instead we discovered these awesome Spanish tiles that look like glass and finished the rest with handmade Turkish stone mosaics. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are thrilled with the final result. The new layout makes cooking a breeze and we use the central island for meals very often.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">xoxo Maja</div></div><img height="72" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzj84lkiI/AAAAAAAAAC8/sYEAiAxiU-0/s320/100_3081.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 220px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 985px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzj84lkiI/AAAAAAAAAC8/sYEAiAxiU-0/s1600/100_3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXzj84lkiI/AAAAAAAAAC8/sYEAiAxiU-0/s320/100_3081.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-63989469779750296602010-06-14T16:50:00.001+08:002010-06-14T18:08:11.927+08:00Almost French<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXqpX_UgUI/AAAAAAAAACU/e27fBrJrsSY/s1600/100_1962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXqpX_UgUI/AAAAAAAAACU/e27fBrJrsSY/s200/100_1962.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My windows, that is. One thing I loved about our house when I first saw it was that all the joinery was made of hardwood (jarrah), hidden below the layer of mission brown enamel. Right at that moment I saw the potential - French windows! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXr0Sz0auI/AAAAAAAAACk/S_jVJLfzU74/s1600/100_2879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXr0Sz0auI/AAAAAAAAACk/S_jVJLfzU74/s200/100_2879.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">They were very painful to restore as they had been neglected for over 30 years so they needed a lot of TLC. Some window panes were warped and the putty was missing in quite a few places. Paint caused some hassle. We used shiny white enamel on the inside but DH decided to go with a water based high gloss externally. Let's just say that we quickly returned to the trusted enamel :).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXrQFUE41I/AAAAAAAAACc/KSRW_R_BpGs/s1600/100_3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TBXrQFUE41I/AAAAAAAAACc/KSRW_R_BpGs/s200/100_3036.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are still a few to go (there are only so many weekends in a year), but already the neighbours have commented how pretty the 'new' old windows look. </div><br />
What do you think?<br />
<br />
xoxo MajaMajahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-53615934596627396712010-06-11T18:42:00.003+08:002010-06-11T19:03:58.003+08:00Label away - Win a DYMO Labler or $5000!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've always wanted one of these. $5000 would be useful as well :).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•the next 99 runner up winners each receive a DYMO LabelManager 210D</span>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3718923229344960558.post-82101296543936162452010-06-04T17:02:00.001+08:002010-06-04T17:06:37.289+08:00First ebay purchase<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I promised to show you my first pretty purchase from ebay. Tada! Isn't she pretty. But the fabric is soiled and worn so that will be my project in the next few weeks - to find a fabric and pretty it all up. </div>I got all excited about it and bought 3 pretty cushions as well. I have to admit it is all rather addictive. I think I'll be freezing my credit card soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TAjBELaKC2I/AAAAAAAAABM/jAGpX_npG8Q/s1600/100_2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TAjBELaKC2I/AAAAAAAAABM/jAGpX_npG8Q/s200/100_2919.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TAjBoTMfaZI/AAAAAAAAABc/uudayF7OP_4/s1600/100_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TAjBoTMfaZI/AAAAAAAAABc/uudayF7OP_4/s200/100_2920.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TAjBgpn1KUI/AAAAAAAAABU/_bD_LI32bh4/s1600/100_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ib_VBppf0Vo/TAjBgpn1KUI/AAAAAAAAABU/_bD_LI32bh4/s200/100_2917.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Majahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05488638137659968562noreply@blogger.com7